MEMPHIS: Riley Ferguson and Anthony Miller are no longer around, but it's pretty clear that head coach Mike Norvell's spread offense can adapt to any player who's running the show. The Tigers are going to put up points, especially considering talented running backs Darrell Henderson and Patrick Taylor return to make plays behind what could be the conference's best O-line. On the other side of the ball, Memphis has some talent in its secondary. The Tigers aren't going to shut anybody out, but they can create turnovers and aren't going to completely let their offense down.

TULANE: Dual-threat quarterback Jonathan Banks was unstoppable as a runner at times last year, but he'll need to find a way to be more consistent throwing the ball if Tulane is going to avoid finishing at the bottom of the conference standings. The good news for him is that he's one of 10 offensive starters returning, so there will be some talent'or at least experience'to get the ball to. The Green Wave's defense is going to make things difficult, though. The unit allowed far too many big plays last season, and things don't project to be much better this year.